Troopers and fire crews pull duck hunter from mud on the Palmer Hay Flats

Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Alaska State Troopers and Fire Rescue crews pulled a duck hunter from the mud near Cottonwood Creek on the Palmer Hay Flats on Friday morning. The hunter was taken for medical evaluation, according to the troopers' dispatch report.

Wildlife troopers got the report of a hunter stuck in the mud at 9:17 am. Rescuers had the hunter out by 10:20 am, a little more than an hour later. The report does not describe the hunter's condition.

The Cottonwood Creek trail is used for fall waterfowl hunting and crosses tidal flats and wetlands, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. At high tide, the creek can run up to 6 feet deep and become impassable, according to a Cottonwood Creek trail guide.

Fish and Game advises visitors to the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge to use particular caution around strong tidal waters near mudflats and waterways.